Julia Zaher

Zaher's family background is Arab Christian. She was a schoolteacher for decades before taking over Al Arz Tahini, her husband's tahini company in 2003. Upon taking over the company, Zaher paid off its debts and upgraded the manufacturing process. Al Arz's two factories produce 20 to 25 tons of tahini a day. The products are sold in Israel and exported to 18 countries.[1] Zaher is the only Arab female factory owner in Israel. She is an advocate for diversity and women in the workplace. Her company employs a large number of Arab women in addition to Jewish, Muslim, and Christian residents from Jezreel Valley.[2]

Zaher is recognized for her philanthropy. She has donated towards women's rights and people with disabilities. In 2020, she donated to The Aguda – Israel's LGBT Task Force to establish a crisis hotline for LGBT Arabic-speaking Israelis. Zaher was lauded by several politicians and LGBT rights activists and criticized for the donation, with critics claiming the action may lead to "normalization" of an LGBT lifestyle. The donation sparked a boycott of her company among social conservatives.[1]

Zaher is from Nazareth and has two children. Her husband died from a heart attack in 2003.[1]